Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
APRIL
I mmobilised, I feel a knot form in my chest, making it difficult to move or breathe. The firm grip of Samuel’s hand grounds me. He squeezes gently as a gesture of support. I nod at what? I’m not sure, but I retake my seat. I try to catch my breath by looking away from the man standing before me. A man I last saw sprawled naked and sleeping peacefully as I crept out of his hotel room. Another person stands and gives their point of view.
When I eventually lift my gaze, his intense gaze locks onto mine, stalling my breath. The tension in my chest remains under the weight of his stare.
“I need to get out of here,” I whisper. Samuel takes in my features as if weighing up what I’m saying. “Now,” I say, getting up and navigating my way down the seated row and to the door.
I don’t look back as I walk out onto the street, needing to put as much distance between myself and Cal, or should I say, Caleb Frazer.
Shit. Why does my life have to be this complicated ?
“Holy shit—Was that Cal?” Samuel asks from the doorway behind me.
I continue walking.
“April, stop. Aren’t you going to wait? Speak to him?” He calls after me.
“I can’t. Not now.”
Samuel catches me, grabbing hold of my forearm and pulling me to a stop.
“Why not? You heard the man. He wants to arrange an appointment to discuss this, try and sort it out. Are you just going to walk away? What happened to fighting this? Are you really going to give up on everything you’ve worked so hard for?”
“Don’t push me,” I say through gritted teeth. My best friend doesn't realise how close to a knife's edge I’m currently walking. “Men like Caleb Frazer say one thing and do another. You know that. Asking for a meeting was all for show. His perfect company getting called out embarrassed him.”
Leaning against the building next to us, he takes my hand in his. His hulking frame towers over me.
“Okay, but I think you’re making a mistake.”
“Duly noted.” I sigh, running a hand down my face. “Look, I have a class to get back for.”
I pull my hand from his and continue down the road. This time, Samuel lets me go. My mind is in turmoil.
Oh god, you couldn’t make it up.
My one-night stand is bloody Caleb Frazer.
Seeing him standing there was a shock. The man exudes wealth and power, not forgetting bucket loads of sex appeal! I’m the first to admit that night was incredible, but that was supposed to be it. One night! I left, got on a plane, and returned home with memories that would blow one's mind. Memories you’re supposed to reminisce about when you’re old and grey and sat in a rocking chair.
Instead, it’s just my luck. That perfect memory is now linked to the man about to destroy my future and everything I’ve worked for.
“He came looking for you, you know,” Samuel calls out, stopping me in my tracks.
I turn to face him. “What do you mean?”
“He came to Philly, to the theatre. Asked how to find you. I tried to call, but I couldn’t get through. I assumed if you wanted him to have your number, you’d have given it to him.”
What the hell!
I look at the floor. I can’t process this information right now.
“You’re right. There was no point. It was one night of great sex.”
The best.
“Men like Cal and women like me, we don’t mix. Look at us. Our lives are polar opposites.”
“Not usually, but he made you laugh that night. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so relaxed, carefree.”
He comes towards me and cups my cheek.
I shake my head, needing to deny his words. They aren’t helping. I made a choice.
“I was on holiday. A last fling before coming back to reality. This is my reality, and Caleb Frazer is my nemesis. He wants to destroy everything I’ve worked for. He and his damn company. Don’t let him fool you. They don’t care about me or the community. Whatever their company line states. I’m the underdog. If I was so important, someone would have come to see me or at least replied to one of my emails.” I stop and sigh. “Yes, he’ll pretend to give me a bone, and what then? We both know I’ll never be able to afford their rent or to refurbish another studio. It’s over, Samuel. There’s nothing left. It took me four years of dancing for those…” I run a hand through my hair, not wanting to bring up the past. “Living on air to save up for what I have.”
I bite my lip and sigh.
“I just want to go home. I really do have a class in an hour.”
Samuel pulls me in for a hug, dropping a kiss on the top of my head.
“Don’t give up. Promise me,” he says.
Although I’m not sure Samuel knows what he’s asking. All my life, I’ve held a belief that things will get better, that something will change. But that belief is waning as time goes on.